The number of people injured in an explosion at a water park in Taiwan has more than doubled to more than 500, after tracking down hundreds of victims who took themselves to hospital or were taken by others in the crowd.

At least 516 were injured and 194 severely after flammable powder exploded at a recreational park in northern Taiwan, outside the Taiwanese capital last evening.

Terrified partygoers were then shown running for their lives, screaming, as they were overtaken by flames.

As ambulance crews struggled to reach the site, victims were carried away on rubber rings and inflatable dinghies as friends desperately tried to get them out.